Underwater one-time-use camera having camera frame assembly retained in front housing part at unloading

ABSTRACT

An underwater one-time-use camera has a housing having a front housing part and a rear housing part. A frame assembly is disposed within the housing. The housing and frame assembly have retention features releaseably sealing the has rear housing part water-tightly against said front housing part and holding the frame assembly in the front housing part independent of the rear housing part. The camera is unloaded by releasing the rear housing part from the front housing part. The film door of the frame assembly is then opened and the film unit is removed. The retention features retain the frame assembly in the front housing part, during and following the opening and the removing of the film unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No. 83820RLW], entitled:TWO-SHOT MOLDED SEAL INTEGRITY INDICATOR, UNDERWATER CAMERA, AND METHOD,filed ______ in the names of Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker, and WayneE. Stiehler; Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No. 83821RLW], entitled:DEPRESSURIZED UNDERWATER ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA WITH SEAL INTEGRITYINDICATOR AND METHOD, filed in the names of Stephen J. Smith, Craig A.Baker, and Wayne E. Stiehler; Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No.83822RLW], entitled: CAMERA AND UNDERWATER HOUSING HAVING TWO-SHOTMOLDED KNOB SEAT, filed ______ in the names of Stephen J. Smith, CraigA. Baker, and Wayne E. Stiehler; Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No.83823RLW], entitled: UNDERWATER CAMERA HOUSING HAVING SEALED PIVOTABLESHUTTER ACTUATOR AND METHOD, filed ______ in the names of Stephen J.Smith, Craig A. Baker, and Wayne E. Stiehler; Ser. No. ______ [AttorneyDocket No. 83832RLW], entitled: UNDERWATER CAMERA HAVING VIEWPORTSBEARING ON VIEWFINDER TUNNEL OF FRAME, filed ______ in the names ofStephen J. Smith, Wayne E. Stiehler, and Craig A. Baker; Ser. No. ______[Attorney Docket No. 83833RLW], entitled: DUAL ACTION SHUTTER RELEASEWITH THUMBWHEEL BRAKE AND METHODS, filed ______ in the names of Wayne E.Stiehler, Stephen J. Smith, and Craig A. Baker; Ser. No. ______[Attorney Docket No. 83831], entitled: UNDERWATER HOUSING ASSEMBLY,filed ______ in the names of Stephen J. Smith, Wayne E. Stiehler, EdwinJ. Khang, and Jeffrey S. Eng.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to photography and photographic equipmentand methods more particularly relates to an underwater-one-time-usecamera having retention features and an unloading method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the recycling of one-time-use cameras by manufacturers, someparts are replaced at every cycle. Other parts are tested and replacedonly when needed. In some cases, parts are cleaned or otherwise modifiedbefore testing. Parts of the cameras can be damaged or contaminatedduring use or, after the film is removed for photofinishing, during therecycling process. It is desirable to reduce the number parts that haveto be replaced during recycling, while at the same time, maintaining thequality of the parts that are not replaced.

[0004] The risk of damage to or contamination of a part is a function ofthe exposure of the part to the outside environment. For example, withmany one-time-use cameras, the outer surface of the taking lens isexposed to the outside environment all during use, during film removal,and during transport of the unloaded camera body to a recyclingfacility. U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,600 teaches underwater one-time-usecameras, in which an outer waterproof housing covers an inner cameraframe assembly. A taking lens looks out, from the camera frame assembly,through a transparent viewport of the housing. The front surface of thetaking lens is not exposed during use. These cameras are disassembled toremove film for photofinishing. After the film has been removed, thefront surface of the taking lens is exposed to the outside environmentand careless handling can cause lens damage or contamination.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide an underwaterone-time-use camera and method in which the front surface of the takinglens is protected from the outside environment until the camera reachesa recycling facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in itsbroader aspects, provides an underwater one-time-use camera that has ahousing having a front housing part and a rear housing part. A frameassembly is disposed within the housing. The housing and frame assemblyhave retention features releaseably sealing the has rear housing partwater-tightly against said front housing part and holding the frameassembly in the front housing part independent of the rear housing part.The camera is unloaded by releasing the rear housing part from the fronthousing part. The film door of the frame assembly is then opened and thefilm unit is removed. The retention features retain the frame assemblyin the front housing part, during and following the opening and theremoving of the film unit.

[0007] It is an advantageous effect of the invention that an improvedunderwater one-time-use camera and method are provided, in which thefront surface of the taking lens is protected from the outsideenvironment until the camera reaches a recycling facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of thisinvention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent andthe invention itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front, partially exploded view of an embodiment of theunderwater one-time-use camera.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a rear, partially exploded view of an embodiment of theunderwater one-time-use camera.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front, top perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front, bottom perspective view of the camera of FIG.1.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a front, partially exploded view of the camera of FIG. 1showing the front housing part, rear housing part and winding knobseparated from the camera frame assembly.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a right, rear perspective view of the front housing partof the camera of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a right, front perspective view of the rear housing partof the camera of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the camera frame assembly of thecamera of FIG. 1, with the front cover separated from the remainder ofthe camera frame assembly. The inside of the front cover is shown.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a left, front perspective view of the camera frameassembly and attached rear cover of the camera of FIG. 1. The frontcover and some other components are deleted for clarity.

[0018]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the camera frame assembly and filmunit of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the camera of FIG. 1, withthe front housing part, knob, and camera frame assembly detached fromthe rear housing part.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a top view of the housing and camera frame assembly ofthe camera of FIG. 11, following removal of the winding knob. The rearhousing part and camera frame assembly are shown in plan view. The rearhousing part is detached. The front housing part is shown incross-section.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the front housing part and cameraframe assembly of FIG. 12. A screwdriver is shown inserted in thescrewdriver slot for pivotal movement against the front housing part toopen the film door for film unit removal.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a top view showing the camera frame assembly and fronthousing part of FIG. 13 with the film door opened and the film unitremoved. The front housing part is shown in cross-sectional view and thecamera frame assembly is shown in top plan view.

[0023]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front housing part and cameraframe assembly of FIG. 13 following removal of the camera frame assemblyfrom the front housing part.

[0024]FIG. 16 is the same view as FIG. 14, but with the camera frameassembly detached from the front housing part. The front housing part isshown in cross-sectional view and the camera frame assembly is shown intop plan view. The film door is shown partially closed by the action ofthe living hinge.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a partial rear perspective view of the camera frameassembly and front housing part of FIG. 11. The upper left corner isshown.

[0026]FIG. 18 is a partial rear perspective view of the camera frameassembly and front housing part of FIG. 11. The upper right corner isshown.

[0027]FIG. 19 is the same view as FIG. 17 of an alternative embodimentof the camera.

[0028]FIG. 20 is the same view as FIG. 18 of the camera of FIG. 19.

[0029]FIG. 21 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the camera ofFIG. 1 showing the winding knob and shutter actuator. For clarity, thefacing is not shown.

[0030]FIG. 22 is a partial rear perspective view of the front housingpart of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0031]FIG. 23 is a partial enlarged, rear perspective view of the fronthousing part of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1 takensubstantially along line 24-24 of FIG. 4. The indicator is undeflected.

[0033]FIG. 25 is the same view as FIG. 24, but the indicator isdeflected inward.

[0034]FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1taken substantially along line 26-26 of FIG. 2. The knob is in aninitial state.

[0035]FIG. 27 is the same view as FIG. 26, but the knob is in a fullytraveled state.

[0036]FIG. 28 is a partial semi-diagrammatical cross-section of the sealportion of the knob and the bushing portion of the knob seat of thecamera of FIG. 26. The knob is in the initial state.

[0037]FIG. 29 is the same view as FIG. 28, but with the knob in thefully traveled state of FIG. 27.

[0038]FIG. 30 is a partial, enlarged perspective view of the fronthousing part of the camera of FIG. 1 showing the knob seat.

[0039]FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1taken substantially along line 31-31 of FIG. 3. The viewfinder tunneland viewports are shown.

[0040]FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1taken substantially along line 32-32 of FIG. 3.

[0041]FIG. 33 is a cut-away perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1with components deleted for clarity. Shown are part of the front housingpart, the knob, the film unit, part of the frame, and some othercomponents of the camera frame assembly. The shutter is shown in theopen position.

[0042]FIG. 34 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 33, but with thefront housing part and knob deleted from the figure and with thekeeperplate shown. The shutter is shown in the open position.

[0043]FIG. 35 is a semi-diagrammatical view of the camera of FIG. 1showing components related to the dual action shutter release andthumbwheel brake. The shutter is shown in the open position.

[0044]FIG. 36 is a partial front-to-back cross-sectional view of thecamera of FIG. 1 with some components deleted for clarity. Shown are asection of the front housing part, a section of the facing, the shutteractuator, the high-energy lever, and the shutter release. The shutteractuator is in an initial orientation and the high-energy lever islatched by the shutter release.

[0045]FIG. 37 is the same view as FIG. 36, except the shutter actuatoris in pivoted orientation and the high-energy lever is released from theshutter release.

[0046]FIG. 38 is a partial right-to-left semi-diagrammaticalcross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1 with some componentsdeleted for clarity. Shown are the shutter release, the high-energylever, the shutter, the diaphragm ring, and a pair of biasing springs.The shutter actuator is in an initial orientation and the high-energylever is latched by the shutter release.

[0047]FIG. 39 is the same view as FIG. 38, except that the shutteractuator is in pivoted orientation, the high-energy lever is releasedfrom the shutter release, and the shutter is in the open position.

[0048]FIG. 40 is a front perspective view of another alternativeembodiment of the camera. A portion of the facing is cut-away to bettershow the shutter actuator.

[0049]FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 40taken substantially all along line 41-41. The shutter actuator is shownin an initial orientation.

[0050] FIGS. 42-43 are the same view as FIG. 41, except the shutteractuator is shown in the two alternative pivoted orientations.

[0051]FIG. 44 is a partial enlargement of the view of FIG. 35, of amodification of the camera, in which the sprag is tooth-shaped and thethumbwheel has a rack. The shutter release is in the downward pivotedconfiguration.

[0052]FIG. 45 is the same view as FIG. 44, but the shutter release isshown in the unpivoted configuration.

[0053]FIG. 46 is the same view as FIG. 44, but the shutter release is inthe upward pivoted configuration.

[0054]FIG. 47 is a front perspective view of an alternative cameraincluding the frame unit of the camera of FIG. 1. The button of theshutter release is shown.

[0055]FIG. 48 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of an incompletecamera like the camera of FIG. 1 and assembly equipment. The enclosureis shown with the hatch open.

[0056]FIG. 49 is the same view as FIG. 48, but the hatch is shownclosed, and partial cut-away. The winding knob is not yet seated.

[0057]FIG. 50 is the same view as FIG. 49, after seating of the windingknob.

[0058]FIG. 51 is the same view as FIG. 25 of another embodiment of thecamera. The indicator is deflected inward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] In the invention, features of a front housing part of aone-time-use camera hold a frame assembly within the front housing part,after removal of a rear housing part. This protects the frame assembly,most notably the front surface of the taking lens of the frame assembly,from damage during film removal and subsequent transport and handlingprior to disassembly for recycling.

[0060] The invention is generally described herein in reference toparticular embodiments in which the one-time-use camera usesphotographic film and combines various features. The invention is notlimited to such embodiments. It will be apparent to those of skill inthe art that features, that various of the features disclosed can beincluded or excluded, within the limits defined by the claims and therequirements of a particular use. For example, the camera can captureimages electronically rather than using photographic film or can be afilm-electronic hybrid that uses both. The camera can capture video inaddition to or instead of still images.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, the camera 10 has a pressure housing12 and a frame assembly 14 disposed within the housing 12. One or moreuser controls 16 extend from the outside of the housing 12 to the cameraframe assembly 14. The camera frame assembly 14 holds a film unit 18that stores captured images. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the filmunit 18 is a photographic film cartridge 18 a and the user controls 16are a shutter actuator 20 and a winding knob 22 that is wound to advancethe photographic film between exposures. In the photographic film-typeone-time-use cameras discussed herein, the film unit 18 is a filmcartridge 18 a, which has a canister 18 b and a spool 18 c internal tothe canister 18 b. A filmstrip 18 d is joined to the spool 18 c and,prior to use extends out of the canister to a prewound film roll 18 e.

[0062] The housing 12 has two or more parts joined together. In theembodiments shown in the figures, the housing 12 has a first or fronthousing part 28, having a back opening 29, and a second or rear housingpart 30 that are sealed together during use. In these embodiments, thehousing 12 divides vertically between the front and rear housing parts28,30. It will be understood that the housing parts 28,30 can bemodified to divide the housing 12 in other ways, such as horizontally,and the housing parts 28,30 can themselves be divisible, if desired. Thehousing 12 has an inner surface 32 and an outer surface 34 and a passage36 extending between the surfaces 32,34 for winding knob 22.

[0063] The housing 12 has a shell 24 and a facing 26 that is united withthe shell 24, that is, in each housing part, the shell 24 and facing 26are or act like a one-piece structure. The shell 24 is included in bothfront and rear housing parts 28,30. The facing 26 can be included inboth front and rear housing parts 28,30; but in the embodimentsdisclosed herein, is limited to the front housing part 28.

[0064] The facing 26 can cover the entire outer surface 34 of thehousing part or parts, or can be limited to regions of the housing 12where the facing 26 provides a particular function. Alternatively, thoseand other regions of the housing 12 can be covered, as desired, forartistic effects.

[0065] The facing 26 is relatively soft and the shell 24 is relativelyhard. The soft facing 26 can be used to provide a seal between housingparts 28,30. A convenient seal can be provided by configuring the shell24 in one of the housing parts to have a continuous tongue 38 extendingaround the edge and in the other housing 12 part to have a matchinggroove or rabbet 40 configured to overlap the tongue 38. When assembled,the facing 26 is compressed between the tongue 38 and rabbet or groove40. (This is best seen in FIG. 32) The compressed section of facingtakes the place of an O-ring or washer.

[0066] The uniting of shell 24 and facing 26 can be provided by bondingone to the other by adhesive or the like. It is preferred that thehousing 12 be prepared by a technique commonly referred to as “two shot”or “two pack” injection molding. In two-shot molding, a set of diemembers (not shown) are initially positioned to define a mold having afirst cavity that molds one of two sections of the part to be produced.The cavity is filled with a first moldable material during a firstinjection shot. One or more of the die members is then moved to define asecond cavity that holds the molded product of the first moldablematerial and is larger than the first cavity. A second injection shot isthen made with a second moldable material. The temperature of the moldis maintained such that the first moldable material will melt along theinterface with the second moldable material during the molding process,such that the first moldable material maintains its integrity, onlybeing effected along the interface and not washing out as the secondmoldable material is shot into the mold. The moldable materials areselected such that the two shots of material diffuse together at theinterface, before hardening. This effect, described as: codiffusion ormolecular entanglement, results in an interface region that iscomparable in character to a bulk interpenetrating polymer network.

[0067] A housing part produced by two shot molding, is a one-pieceplastic casting that has an engineering plastic shell 24 and a softer,preferably elastomer facing 26. The term “engineering plastic” and“elastomer” are each used herein in an ordinary technical sense. Forexample, a definition is provided in the Concise Encyclopedia of PolymerScience and Engineering, J. I. Kroschwitz, ed., John Wiley & Sons, NewYork, 1990, at page 326:

[0068] “Engineering plastics are thermoplastics that maintaindimensional stability and most mechanical properties above 100 degreesC. and below 0 degrees C. This definition encompasses plastics that canbe formed into functional parts that can bear loads and withstand abusein temperature environments commonly experienced by the traditionalengineering materials: wood, metals, glass, and ceramics. Generic resinsfalling within the scope of this definition include acetals, polyamides(nylons), polyimides, polyetherimides, polyesters, polycarbonates,polyethers, polysulfide polymers, polysulfones, blends or alloys of theforegoing resins, and some examples from other resins types”.

[0069] The same source describes elastomers at page 295:

[0070] “Elastomers are derived from natural rubber and syntheticpolymers with rubberlike properties. They exhibit both long-rangedeformability on application of stress and complete recovery onremoval.”

[0071] Examples of specific materials for the shell and facing arepolycarbonate/polyurethane or polystyrene/styrene-butadiene.

[0072] The shell 24 can be textured by the mold surface to provide abetter grip for the user. For clarity, texturing of the surface of shell24 is only illustrated in some of the figures.

[0073] The frame assembly 14 has most of the features of a completedone-time-use camera 10. Exceptions are one or more user controls 16,which are modified so as to the usable from outside the housing 12 and,in a particular embodiment discussed below, retention features that holdthe camera frame assembly 14 in the front housing part 28.

[0074] The camera frame assembly 14 has a front cover 42 and a rearcover 44. The covers 42,44 are joined together over a frame unit 46. Theframe unit 46 and rear cover 44 define a film space 48 including a pairof film chambers 50,52 and an exposure chamber 54 between the filmchambers 50,52. The film space 48 is light-tight. It is convenient iflight blocking is provided by the frame unit 46 and the rear cover 44.In this case, it is unnecessary for the front cover 42 to provide alight blocking function.

[0075] It will be understood, that the various features disclosed hereinin the used in combination is not disclosed and can be modified in amanner known to one of skill in the art. For example, a housing 12 andrespective cover of the camera frame assembly 14 could be combined in asingle part.

[0076] The frame unit 46 has a frame 56, which, preferably, is a singleplastic casting. The frame 56 includes the film chambers 50,52 andexposure chamber 54. Extending forward from the exposure chamber 54 is abaffle 58. At the forward end of the baffle 58 is a shutter 60 and alens assembly 62. The lens assembly 62 includes one or more plastic orglass lens elements 64, a lens holder 66, and a diaphragm ring 67. Theshutter 60 shown is a single leaf impact-type shutter. As with othercomponents, the shutter 60 can be varied.

[0077] The frame unit 46 has a metering lever 68 and a high-energy lever70, which are operated by cams 72,74 of a sprocket-cam unit 76. One ormore biasing springs 78 hold the levers 68,70 against the respectivecams 72,74, as needed. The sprocket-cam unit 76 also has a sprocket 80that extends into the film space 48. Perforations 82 of the filmstrip 18d engage the sprocket 80. The sprocket 80 rotates when the film 18 d isadvanced by the rotation of a thumbwheel 84.

[0078] The sprocket-cam unit 76 has an axle 77 that fits in holes in theframe 56 and in a keeperplate 88 mounted to the upper end of the frame56. The high-energy lever 70 and the metering lever 68 rotate on posts90 of the frame 56. A counterwheel 92 is driven by the sprocket-cam unit76 and counts film exposures. The counterwheel 92 is also mounted on oneof the posts 90.

[0079] It is convenient to incorporate additional features in thekeeperplate 88. In the embodiments shown, the keeperplate 88 istransparent plastic and includes: a shutter release 94, a retainer 96that holds the counterwheel 92 in place, a viewfinder lens element 98and an upper wall 100 of the viewfinder 102, and a counterwheel lens104. A leg 105 of the keeperplate 88 attaches to a holdfast 107 of theframe 56 to hold the keeperplate 88 in position.

[0080] The thumbwheel 84 is held between the keeperplate 88 and frame 56and extends through an opening 106 in the frame 56 into the filmcartridge chamber 52. A fitting 109 (shown in FIG. 35) of the thumbwheel84 mechanically engages the internal spool 18 c of the film cartridge 18a. The covers 42,44 have an opening 108 that overlies a socket 110 ofthe thumbwheel 84. The socket 110 and the end of a shaft of the windingknob 22 engage, causing the thumbwheel 84 to rotate when the knob 22 iswound.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 11, the thumbwheel 84 is preferably subject tothe action of a one-way clutch 112. In the embodiment illustrated, theone-way clutch 112 is an anti-backup lever 112 a that engages externalteeth 115 of the thumbwheel 84. The anti-backup lever 112 a is providedas a resilient arm formed as a part of the rear cover 44. Otheranti-backup levers and other types of one-way clutches can also be used.

[0082] The thumbwheel 84, in the embodiments shown, is exposed on theoutside of the camera frame assembly 14, as is a shutter button 114. Thethumbwheel 84 and/or the shutter button 114 can, alternatively, beenclosed by the covers 42,44, except over the socket 110. In anembodiment discussed below, the shutter release 94 includes a shutterbutton 114, in the form of a raised area that extends upward relative tothe remainder of the shutter release 94. The shutter button 114 can beexposed, but is not externally accessible in the illustrated embodimentsof underwater one-time-use cameras. The front cover 42 has an opening116 in the vicinity of the shutter release 94 for a shutter actuator 20.One or more locating features 118 can be provided on the covers 42,44and housing parts to help guide and maintain placement of the housingparts 28,30.

[0083] The camera frame assembly 14 is assembled in the same manner aswith other one-time-use cameras 10. Components are mounted to the frame56. The frame unit 46 is then placed in the front cover 42, a film unit18 is loaded in the camera 10, and the back cover 44 is attached. Thefilm roll 18 e can be formed prior to film loading or after, by windingfilm 18 d out of the canister 18 using an exposed end of a second spool120 or other winding mechanism.

[0084] The completed camera frame assembly 14 is placed in the fronthousing part 28 and the rear housing part 30 is attached to the fronthousing part 28. The winding knob 22 is then inserted through thepassage 36 and into engagement with the socket 110 of the thumbwheel 84.The winding knob 22 is held in place on the housing 12 by a catch 122.The catch 122 permits the winding knob 22 to be released from thehousing 12 and reattached without damage, one or more times. Thisfunctionality is intended for recycling, rather than during camera use.

[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 48-50, in a preferred embodiment, thepartially assembled camera 10 is a placed within a nest 124 in a gastight enclosure 126, after the housing parts 28,30 are fit together andbefore the knob 22 is attached. A hatch 128 of the enclosure 126 isclosed, sealing the interior of the enclosure 126. The enclosure 126 isthen evacuated by a vacuum source 130 to a pressure below atmosphericpressure. If desired, the initial atmosphere can be exchanged withnitrogen or some other atmosphere.

[0086] The enclosure 126 has a placement device 132 located in alignmentwith the passage 36 through the housing 12, when the housing 12 is inthe nest 124. The placement device 132 holds the knob 22 and moveslinearly so as to install the knob 22 in the passage 36. After theinterior of the enclosure 126 has reached a desired pressure and/oratmospheric composition, the knob 22 is pushed into place in the passage36 of the housing 12. The interior of the enclosure 126 is thenrepressurized, the hatch 128 is opened, and the completed camera 10 isremoved. The camera remains sealed without venting or leakage untilusage is completed and the camera is submitted for photofinishing.

[0087] It has been determined that sealing, in the camera, air at areduced pressure is practical for use of the camera 10. The atmospheresealed within the camera 10, before evacuation, is initially at normalor reduced humidity and at room temperature. In a particular embodiment,the camera 10 is intended to withstand internal temperatures of 120degrees F. (49 degrees C.). It is preferred for this embodiment that thecamera 10 be sealed with an internal pressure of 8.6 psi (59 Kpa). Thisyields a final pressure of 14.7 psi (101 Kpa) when heated to 120 degreesF. (49 degrees C.).

[0088] It is a desirable that the camera 10 have a pressurization/sealintegrity indicator that provides a constant indication to the user,that the camera 10 remains sealed and, thus, available for underwateruse. Such indicators are known in the art. Referring now particularly toFIGS. 4 and 23-25, in a preferred embodiment, the seal integrityindicator 134 is provided by a free region 136 of the elastomer facing26 that covers 42,44 an opening or passage 138 in one of the housingparts 28,30. Surrounding the free region 136 is a supported region 139that is united with a border portion or indicator support 140 of theshell 24 surrounding the opening 138. The free region 136 has an outersurface 135 that is exposed to the external environment and an innersurface 137 that is exposed to the interior of the housing 12. The outersurface 135 can be directly exposed to the outside environment, as shownin FIG. 4. Alternatively, the free region 136 can be partially shieldedby an extension (not shown) of the shell that protects against intrusionby foreign objects. The latter is not preferred, since it makesdifficult or precludes automated or manual detection of seal integrityby touching the free region 136.

[0089] In the embodiments shown, the free region 136 is a section of theelastomer facing united with the outside 141 of the shell 24. The freeregion 136 can instead be provided on the inside 143 of the shell 24.

[0090] It is highly preferred that the camera 10 is depressurizedsufficiently to deflect the free region 136 inward when the camera 10 isunsubmerged at moderate temperature, 18 degrees C. to 24 degrees C., andmoderate altitude, at sea level or below 930 meters above sea level.Under such conditions, the user can check the integrity of the cameraseal, while unsubmerged, by looking at or touching the indicator 134.The seal integrity indicator 134 can also be checked during cameraassembly using a detector (not illustrated), such as a mechanical fingeror optical sensor, or the like. Cameras having an undeflected orincompletely deflected free region 136 can be culled during assembly orotherwise before underwater use. Under high temperatures up to 120degrees F., the internal pressure can be higher than external pressure,causing the free region to deflect outwards (shown in FIG. 25 by dashedlines).

[0091] The seal integrity indicator 134 has a backup 142 that islocated, within the housing 12, interior to and overlapping the opening138. The free region 136 flexes inwardly if a sufficient pressuredifferential is provided between the interior of the housing 12 and theexternal environment. The backup 142 is spaced from the free region 136so as to allow some inward excursion of the free region 136, but tolimit inward excursion of the free region 136 under higher pressures.This protects the free region 136 against excessive excursion during useunderwater, which could lead to failure and water leakage.

[0092] The backup 142 is sufficiently rigid to resist the compressiveforces transferred by the free region 136 without distorting. The backup142 has a primary surface 144 that faces the free region 136. Theprimary surface 144 is shaped so as to support all or a large area ofthe free region 136, when the free region 136 is maximally distended. Aconvenient shape for the primary surface 144 is flat, since this shapeis easy to mold and most of the free region 136 is supported at maximaldistension. Maximal distension is the extent of distension at apredetermined test depth that meets or exceeds a recommended maximumdepth of use. The camera is functional at test depth. Below test depthphotographic functionality degrades and eventually ceases. Below testdepth is a crush depth, at which the camera catastrophically fails.

[0093] The backup 142 can be part of the shell 24 or part of the cameraframe assembly 14. If the backup 142 is part of the camera frameassembly 14, it is preferred that the backup 142 is part of the frame 56rather than one of the covers 42,44. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 51,the backup 142 is a portion of the frame 56. In the embodiment otherfigures, the opening 138 is in the front housing part 28 and a backup142 is a portion of the rear housing part 30.

[0094] If the camera 10 is depressurized to an internal pressure of 8.6psi (59 Kpa), a convenient size for the opening 138 is 9 mm and aconvenient depth from the opening 138 in the shell 24 to the backup 142is 3 mm. A suitable elastomer thickness at the free region 136 is easilyselected by trial and error. In preferred embodiments of the invention,the seal indicator 134 does not function as a pressure gauge, since theinterior of the camera 10 is evacuated and atmospheric pressure at sealevel causes the seal indicator 134 to dish in. In other embodiments,the seal indicator 134 functions as a rough pressure gauge. The opening138 can be sized and/or stretchiness of the free region 136 can beadjusted to deflect only at a desired water pressure. The interior ofthe camera 10 can be left at atmospheric pressure, evacuated, orpressurized to further vary the result. Multiple seal indicators 134,each of which dish in at a different depth, can be provided on a camera10 or other housing 12. Suitable dimensions and characteristics can beeasily determined by trial and error. For example, a range of differentsize holes can be covered with free regions 136 of uniform material andthickness and depths for dishing in of each indicator 134 can then bedetermined experimentally.

[0095] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 5, 18, and 26-30, thewinding knob 22 has a handle 146 at one end that is knurled or otherwiseshaped so as to be gripped by the user. Extending downward from thehandle 146 is the shaft 148 that mates with the socket 110 formed in thethumbwheel 84.

[0096] The passage 36 extends through an outwardly extending knob seat150 on the top of the first housing part 28. The knob seat 150 includesa region of the shell 24 that defines an outer sidewall 152 of the knobseat 150. The outer sidewall 152 extends around the knob seat 150, withone or more interruptions. At the interruptions, a channel 154 extendsupward along the knob seat 150 away from the interior of the housing.The knob seat 150 has an inner sidewall or bushing portion 156 thatsurrounds the passage 36. The bushing portion 156 is formed by thefacing 26. The facing 26 also occupies the channels 154. Most of theouter sidewall 152 is thus hard and the inner sidewall is soft. Thefront housing part 28 has facing 26 over the shell 24 adjoining theouter sidewall 152. This feature and the facing 26 in the channels areartifacts of molding and can be varied by use of more complex molds.

[0097] The lower surface 158 of the handle 146 of the knob 22 is shapedso as to be able to register the outer edge 160 of the knob seat 150 andis preferably undercut so as to define an annular slot 162 matched tothe shape of the knob seat outer edge 160. The bushing portion 156 isangled inward toward the common axis 164 of the passage 36 and windingknob 22 and toward the interior of the housing 12. The knob 22 has aseal portion 166 having a complementary shape. The seal portion 166 ispart of the shaft 148 that borders and extends downward from the slot162. The seal portion 166 is, thus, shaped like a truncated cone. Belowthe seal portion 166 and bushing portion 156, the knob 22 and knob seat150, respectively, have wall portions 168,170 that engage slideably. Thewall portion 168 of the knob seat 150 is cylindrical. The wall portion170 of the knob 22 is illustrated as being shaped like a discontinuouscylinder, but can be continuous, if desired.

[0098] Below the wall portion 168 the knob 22 is divided into anengagement portion 172 that mates with the socket 110 of the thumbwheel84 and an attachment portion 174 that releaseably joins the knob 22 to ajoining portion 176 of the front housing part 28. The attachment portion174 and joining portion 176 together comprise the earlier discussedcatch 122.

[0099] The engagement portion 172 is shaped so as to mesh with thesocket 110 of the thumbwheel 84 and can be solid or, as shown, in theform of a pair of opposed flanges 178. The flanges 178 act as anoverrunning clutch, by deflecting under excessive pressure and thenrecovering elastically. This prevents excessive winding from damagingthe components. With a solid engagement portion 172, the socket 110 ofthe thumbwheel 84 can be modified to provide a similar flexible memberand over-running clutch function.

[0100] It is preferred that the attachment portion 174 and joiningportion 176 of the catch 122 resiliently interlock and that one or bothof the attachment portion 174 and joining portion 176 be able toresiliently deflect to permit easy seating and detachment of the knob 22without risk of damage to the knob 22 or housing part. In the embodimentshown in the Figures, the attachment portion 174 is a pair of opposedhooks 174 a,174 b and the joining portion 176 is a pair of opposedledges 176 a,176 b that are portions of the inner surface 32 of shell24. The ledges 176 a,176 b shown in FIGS. 26-27 protrude toward theinterior of the housing 12 relative to the rest of the inner surface 32.The ledges 176 a, 176 b can alternatively be coplanar with or recessedrelative to the inner surface 32, depending upon shell 24 thickness andthe length of the shaft 148 of the knob 22. The hooks 174 a,174 b eachextend downward and then hook or recurve outwardly. The hooks 174 a,174b engage the inner surface 32 of the shell 24 when the knob 22 isinitially inserted in the housing 12. The bottom rim 180 of the passage36 is angled inward toward axis 164. The hooks 174 a,174 b are flexibleand the angled bottom rim 180 bends the hooks 174 a,174 b to ease theeffort required for seating the knob 22. The attachment portion 174 andjoining portion 176 can be varied. For example, the joining portion 176can be in the form of hooks and the attachment portion 174 in the formof ledges or recesses. Hooks can be replaced by spring-loaded detents orother like structures.

[0101] The knob 22 is seated, during assembly, by pressing the knob 22into the passage 36 until the tangs of the hooks 174 a,174 b clear thebottom of the passage 36 and engage the inside of the shell 24. Thebushing portion 156 is slightly or moderately compressed by thisprocedure, resulting in a gas-tight seal. In this initial state, theouter edge 160 of the knob seat 150 does not contact the base wall 182of the slot 162 in the handle 146 of the knob 22.

[0102] Space is provided between the knob 22 and both the socket 110 ofthe thumbwheel 84 and the outer edge 160 of the knob seat 150, to allowfurther movement of the knob 22 into the passage 36. This occurs as aresult of water pressure during submerged use. Contraction as a resultof cooling during submerged use can also contribute to this movement ofthe knob 22 along the passage 36 toward the interior of the housing 12.When the camera 10 is submerged, the knob 22 is pushed further into thepassage 36. This drives the seal portion 166 deeper along the wall ofthe bushing portion 156, increasing or at least maintaining the area ofcontact between the two portions in all positions of the knob 22 in thepassage 36 from a normal pressure or minimum position through a maximumpressure position. Since the bushing portion 156 is elastomer, theinward movement of the knob 22 is resisted by internal resilience of thebushing portion. For the same reason, the bushing portion 156 tightlygrips the seal portion 166. As pressure increases, the knob 22 continuesinto the passage 36 until reaching a fully traveled state in the maximumpressure position. In the minimum position, the hooks 174 hold the knob22 in position against the resilience of the bushing portion 156. Thisresilience must be overcome in initially seating the knob. In themaximum pressure position, the bushing portion is compressed by waterpressure until the outer edge 160 of the knob seat 150 bears against thebase wall 182 of the slot 162 of the handle 146. The hooks are locatedinterior to the inner surface 32 of the housing 12. The housing 12 canhave a partially or fully encircling reinforcement wheel 159 that is asection of the shell 24 and helps bear the load of the knob handle 146when the knob 146 is in the maximum pressure position. The reinforcementwheel 159 can be split between the two housing parts 28,30, as shown inFIGS. 1-2.

[0103] The shell 24 has a support surface 184 that adjoins the bushingportion 156. The support surface 184 is L-shaped and faces outward andtoward the axis 164 of the passage 36. The inward travel of the knob 22in the passage 36 tends to drive the bushing portion 156 back againstthe support surface 184, compressing the bushing portion 156.

[0104] It is preferred that the bushing portion 156 and seal portion 166have complementary shaped contact surfaces 155,157 and that thesesurfaces are angled outward relative to the axis of the passage and theinterior of the housing. This ensures a good grip between the bushingportion 156 and seal portion 166 in the different positions of the knob22 in the passage 36.

[0105] The knob seat 150 can be modified to accommodate other rotaryuser controls 16. Such user controls 16 have seal portions 166 andbushing portions 156 like those above described. The knob seat 150 canbe modified for linearly movable controls if a separate feature, such asa flexible bag, is added to provide water-tightness and/orair-tightness. With such a linearly movable control, FIGS. 26-27 wouldrepresent a transverse cross-section. Due to the added complexity, alinearly movable control is not preferred.

[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, 15, and 31-32, the camera 10 has aviewfinder 102 that includes portions of the housing 12 and of the frameunit 46. The housing 12 has a pair of opposed viewports 186,188. Eachviewport 186,188 has a view area 190 and a structural rim 192surrounding the view area 190. The structural rims 192 of the twoviewports 186,188 bear on opposite ends of a viewfinder tunnel 194 thatis a part of the frame 56.

[0107] The tunnel 194 is formed by a set of parallel sidewalls 196 thatare part of the frame 56. The sidewalls 196 have longest dimensionsextending from front to back of the camera 10. The sidewalls 196 canhave a set of inwardly directed flanges 198 positioned to block lightflare. The sidewalls 196 have front and rear outward edges 200,202 thatare closest to respective viewports 186,188. The front and rear covers42,44 each have a viewport opening 191,193, by means of which therespective viewports 186,188 and outward edges 200,202 come intocontact. The sidewalls 196 can extend out one or both openings 191,193.Likewise, one or both viewports 186,188 can extend into a respectiveopening 191,193.

[0108] Front and rear stub walls 204,206 (best seen in FIGS. 10 and 32,respectively) join the sidewalls 196 together at the bottom. Between thestub walls 204,206, the bottom of the viewfinder 102 is provided by aportion of the baffle 58. At the top, the tunnel 194 is open. Thekeeperplate 88 has a portion that acts as a tunnel top 208 and anotherportion that provides the viewfinder lens element 98. The tunnel upperwall 100 is offset inwardly from the outward edges 200,202.

[0109] When the camera 10 is unsubmerged, the outward edges 200,202 arelocated in close proximity to the structural rims 192 of the respectiveviewports 186,188. When the camera 10 is submerged, the housing partsare squeezed toward each other and the compressive load on the viewports186,188 is transferred directly to the viewfinder tunnel 194, throughload-bearing contact of the structural rims 192 and respective outwardedges 200,202. In other regions of the camera 10, the compressive forceis transmitted from the housing 12 through the respective covers 42,44to specific sections of the frame 56. Compressive force is primarilytransmitted through the front cover 42 to reinforcements 208 located onboth of the film chambers 50,52 of the frame 56. These sections of theframe 56 are strong and quite rigid as a result of the shapes requiredfor the film chambers 50,52. Compressive force transmitted through therear cover 44 is primarily born by the light lock 210,212 of the frame56 and rear cover 44. The light lock 210,212 is formed at the margins ofthe film chambers 50,52 and the exposure chamber 54. The light lock210,212 provides a relatively large area of contact.

[0110] The front and rear covers 44 of the camera frame assembly 14 donot receive the compressive load transmitted by the viewports 186,188when the camera 10 is submerged. In the preferred embodiment shown inthe figures, the front and rear covers 44 are offset from the respectiveviewports 186,188 and do not make contact with the housing 12 in thevicinity of the viewports 186,188. This protects the covers 42,44 frombending stresses, when submerged, which could distort overall shape ofone or both covers 42,44 and possibly interfere with camera function. Italso allows the covers 42,44 to be unreinforced in the area of theviewfinder 102, since the load is not borne by the covers 42,44 in thatarea.

[0111] Stronger structure must be provided at the viewfinder tunnel 194.This is not an undesirable feature, since the frame 56 is commonlyreused when a one-time-use camera 10 is recycled and good structuralstrength of the frame 56 helps prevent damage during that recycling. Thecompressive force on reinforcements 208 and light lock 210,212 isunlikely to distort the covers 42,44, since the force is balanced by abearing structure at each corner of the camera 10 and those structuresare relatively near edges of the covers 42,44 and not near largeopenings. At the viewfinder 102, compressive force that would be morelikely to distort the covers 42,44 is born, instead by the tunnel 194 ofthe frame 56.

[0112] One or both of the viewports 186,188 can have an optical power.The other viewports 186,188 or both viewports 186,188 can,alternatively, lack optical power. If the viewport does not have anoptical power, then the viewfinder 102 includes the separate lenselement 98 located in close proximity to the respective viewport 186 or188. A separate lens element can also be used with a viewport 186,188that has an optical power.

[0113] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3, 15, 21-22, and 33-43, in aparticular embodiment, the actuator 20 is attached to the front housingpart 28. In the embodiments shown, the actuator 20 is positioned to acton a shutter release. For this reason the actuator 20 is generallyreferred to herein as a “shutter actuator 20”. It will be understoodthat the actuator can act on any of a wide variety of effectors withinthe housing, such as pressure or mechanical switches for a variety ofcamera functions.

[0114] The shutter actuator 20 has an outer member 214, an inner member216, and a torsion bar 218 between the members 214,216. The outer member214 extends outward from the torsion bar 218, beyond the front surface220 of the front housing part 28. The inner member 216 extends inwardbeyond the back surface 222 of the front housing part 28 and throughopening 116 in the front cover 42 of the camera frame assembly 14.

[0115] The torsion bar 218 bridges an opening in the front housing part28, dividing the opening into upper and lower subopenings 224,226. Inthe embodiments shown, the torsion bar 218 is aligned with the frontsurface 220 of the front housing part 28. The outer and the innermembers 214,216 of the shutter actuator 20 extend outward and inwardrespectively from the torsion bar 218.

[0116] External portions of the shutter actuator 20 are fully covered bythe facing 26. In other words, the facing 26 overlies the outer member214 and outside surface of the torsion bar 218. For this purpose, it ispreferred that the facing 26 is made of elastomer codiffused with theshell 24. The facing 26 bridges over the upper and lower subopenings224,226 of the front housing part 28. The housing 12 is, thus, sealed atthe shutter actuator 20. The portion of the facing 26 overlying theouter member 214 of the shutter actuator 20 can have ridges or otherrelief to reduce the risk of slippage of the user's finger from theshutter actuator 20 while underwater or in other rough usage.

[0117] It is highly preferred that the shutter actuator 20 is formed ina one-piece with the facing 26 and shell 24 of the front housing part28. In that case, the shutter actuator 20 is engineering plastic formedin the first shot of the two-shot molding along with the shell 24. It isalso highly preferred that the facing 26 is formed over the shell 24 andshutter actuator 20 during the second shot of the two-shot moldingprocess.

[0118] The shutter actuator 20 is movable relative to the front housingpart 28 between an initial orientation and a pivoted orientation. Thetorsion bar 218 is twisted about a longitudinal axis (this axis is notindicated in the figures) transverse to the subopenings 224,226 in thefront housing part 28, when the shutter actuator 20 is moved from theinitial orientation to the pivoted orientation. The internal resilienceof the torsion bar 218 biases the shutter actuator 20 toward the initialorientation. (The torsion bar 218 is relaxed in the initial orientationand tensioned in the pivoted orientation.) The elastomer of the facing26 covers and, optionally, extends into the upper and lower subopenings224,226 forming a pair of resilient comer pads 228,230. When the shutteractuator 20 is deflected from the initial orientation to the pivotedorientation, the corner pads 228,230 are distorted and, by internalresilience, provide an additional biasing of the shutter actuator 20toward the initial orientation.

[0119] It is preferred that equal biasing of the shutter actuator 20 beprovided by the upper and lower corner pads 228,230. The biasingprovided by the comer pads 228,230 is a function of material, size, andshape. For simplicity, it is preferred that the corner pads 228,230 areeach of the same material and are the same size and shape. In that case,the resilience of the two corner pads 228,230 tends to be balanced. Ifthe resilience is not balanced, then the shutter actuator 20 is moreresistant to pivoting in one direction than the other. This interfereswith ease of use and, depending upon the direction of maximumresistance, can result in unintended exposures.

[0120] It is highly preferred that the biasing of the shutter actuator20 toward the initial orientation is mostly provided by the torsion bar218 rather than the corner pads 228,230. The change in resilience of thetorsion bar 218, with depth, is less than the change in resilience ofthe comer pads 228,230. The comer pads 228,230 tend to “stiffen”, thatis become more resistant to deflection, when distended inward by waterpressure. The effect of such stiffening on the shutter actuator 20 canbe minimized by limiting the biasing of the shutter actuator 20 by thecomer pads 228,230 to a small percentage of the total biasing of theshutter actuator 20. The use of comer pads 228,230 that provide a smallpercentage of the total resilience also reduces the effect of anyinadvertent inequalities in the resilience of the upper and lower comerpads 228,230 due to irregularities in the molding process or the like.

[0121] The inner member 216 is positioned within the camera frameassembly 14 such that the pivoting movement of the shutter actuator 20pushes the inner member 216 against the shutter release 94. This causesthe shutter release 94 to pivot upward and releases the latching of thehigh-energy lever 70. The high-energy lever 70 swings under the actionof a biasing spring 78. The high-energy lever 70 strikes an end of theshutter 60, which swings open for an exposure of a film frame 56. Theshutter 60 then swings closed as a result of the biasing of a shutterbiasing spring 78. The film 18 d is wound forward to the next frame 56and the cycle is repeated. An example of a suitable mechanism thatprovides these functions is described below. Alternative shuttermechanisms can be used, with the limitation that the triggering movementof the inner member 216 of the shutter actuator 20 is in an upwarddirection.

[0122] The outer member 214 of the shutter actuator 20, which extendsoutward from the front surface 220 of the front housing part 28, has twoopposed counterbalance surfaces 232,234. One counterbalance surface 232faces upward the other counterbalance surface 234 faces downward. Ashutter actuation is provided by pressing the upper counterbalancesurface 232 of the outer member 214 in a downward direction. Since bothcounterbalance surfaces 232,234 are exposed to the external environmentin both the initial orientation and the pivoted orientation, waterpressure on the outer member 214 does not change when the shutteractuator 20 is tripped.

[0123] The facing 26 of the camera 10 provides some comer paddingagainst rough treatment. For additional protection, a guard 236 can beprovided on the front housing part 28 so as to help protect the outermember 214 of the shutter actuator 20. The guard 236 can be shaped so asto extend beyond the outer member 214 in all directions and protect theouter member 214 from impact. The counterbalance surfaces 232,234 arecontinuously spaced from the guard 236 to ensure equal water pressure onboth counterbalance surfaces 232,234.

[0124] Referring now to FIGS. 36-39, when the shutter actuator 20 ispushed down the shutter release 94 is pivoted in an upward directionaway from the interior of the camera frame assembly 14. This causes thelatched high-energy lever 70 to be released, striking the shutter 60,and exposing a film frame 56. The shutter release 94 is joined to a mainportion of the keeperplate 88 by a living hinge 237.

[0125] In a particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 40, acamera 10 a has a shutter actuator 20 that pivots in and out relative toa front housing part 28. In this embodiment, the torsion bar 218 isjoined to two opposed outer members 214 and two inner members 216 extendinward from respective outer members 214. The facing covers and contactsthe outer members 214 and subopenings 224,226. When pressed by the user,the shutter actuator 20 pivots from an initial orientation, shown inFIG. 41, to either of two pivoted orientations, shown in FIGS. 42-43. Ashutter release 94 is contacted by the shutter actuator 20 in thepivoted orientations. The shutter release 94 shown in FIGS. 41-43 is apair of contact pads for an electronic shutter (not illustrated). Othershutter releases can be provided in a similar manner.

[0126] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 33-39 and 44-47, in aparticular embodiment of the invention, the shutter release 94 ispivotable in both the upward direction just described and in anopposite, downward direction toward the interior of the camera frameassembly 14. In this embodiment, a sprag 238 is joined to the shutterrelease 94. The sprag 238 bears against the thumbwheel 84 when theshutter release 94 is in either the upward released position or thedownward released position.

[0127] The shutter release 94 is released in an upward direction whenused in a camera having shutter actuator 20. The shutter release 94 canalso be released in a downward direction, during manufacturing, prior toinstallation of covers 42,44, or if used in a non-underwater camera 10 b(shown in FIG. 47) having features like the camera shown in FIG. 1, butno housing and an exposed shutter button 114.

[0128] The sprag 238 is a cut-out section that is pivotably joined tothe shutter release 94 by a living hinge 239. The sprag 238 can pivotindependent of the shutter release 94. The sprag 238, as a result of theinternal biasing of the living hinge 239, is initially in an unpivotedconfiguration, in which the sprag 238 is aligned with the shutterrelease 94. In the unpivoted configuration, the sprag 238 does not bearon the thumbwheel 84. The sprag 238 is in the unpivoted configurationwhen the shutter release 94 is in a neutral or ready position and thehigh-energy lever 70 is latched, or, alternatively, the high-energylever 70 has discharged, but the film frame 56 exposed has not beenadvanced.

[0129] When the shutter release 94 is moved into the downward releasedposition, the sprag 238 pivots with the shutter release 94 until adownwardly extending tab 240 of the sprag contacts an upper surface 245of the thumbwheel 84. At that time, the sprag 238 bears against thethumbwheel 84 under the biasing of the living hinge 239. When theshutter release 94 assumes the upward released position, a downwardlyextending toe 242 contacts the sprag 238 and pushes the sprag 238 intothe pivoted configuration as a result of the interference between aridged surface 244 on the sprag 238 and the toe 242. The toe 242 can beprovided as a protrusion of the front cover 42.

[0130] The tab 240 of the sprag 238 bears on the thumbwheel 84 and isconfigured so as to frictionally engage the thumbwheel 84 or to meshwith the thumbwheel 84. In the first case, illustrated in FIG. 35, thetab 240 is rounded off or flattened at an end adjoining the thumbwheel84 and the thumbwheel 84 has a surface or track 246 that receives thetab 240. The track 246 can be in the form of a groove. The surface ofthe track 246 can be roughened or otherwise famished or treated toimprove frictional engagement. In the second case, illustrated in FIGS.44-46, the thumbwheel 84 has a toothed rack 248 in place of the track246. The shape of the tab 240 is complementary to the teeth of the rack248.

[0131] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-7, 11-20, and 22-23, in aparticular embodiment of the invention, the rear housing part 30 isattached to the front housing part 28 by means of lugs 250 that engagematching catch portions 252 of the other part. The catch portions of thehousing part or parts are internal lugs and internal eye-tabs (flangeswith a hole for a respective lug). Preferred engineering plastics usedfor the shell 24 of the housing parts have sufficient flex to permitdeflection of the catch portions 252 past the lugs 250 during assembly.

[0132] After the film has been exposed, the camera 10 is presented to aprocessor for photofinishing. The knob 22 is pulled out. The rearhousing part 30 is pried open using a screwdriver or like tool (notillustrated). The rear cover 44 is then bent, as shown in FIG. 13 usinga screwdriver 251 or the like, at a line of weakness (not shown). Theresulting film door 256 is bent open and the film unit 18 is removed.

[0133] After the film unit 18 has been removed, the frame assembly 14remains in the front housing 12, held by retention features 254. Theretention features 254 are releasable, but retain the camera frameassembly 14 in place until deliberate efforts are undertaking toseparate the camera frame assembly 14 from the front housing part 28.The retention features 254 can be releasable fasteners, includinghook-and-eye tapes, or pealable adhesive layers or tapes.

[0134] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the frame assembly14 is held in place by interference between fasteners in the form oflugs 250 of the front cover 42 and catch portions 252 of the filmlesscamera frame assembly 14. The catch portions are outwardly extendingexternal ledges of the covers. The lugs 250 can be the same ones use forthe attachment of the rear housing part 30 to the front cover 42. Thisis not preferred, because the positioning of the lugs 250 required forthe two functions, causes the camera frame assembly 14 to be looselygripped after the rear cover 44 is removed. This can cause rattling andan incomplete closure between the front housing part 28 and the frontcover 42. In a preferred embodiment, a second set of lugs 250 is presenton the front housing part 28. The second set of lugs 250 b are forwardof the first set of lugs 250 a used with the rear housing part 30. Thesecond set of lugs 250 b hold the camera frame assembly 14 tightly inplace against the front housing part 28. This allows better exclusion ofcontaminants from the front surface 258 of the taking lens.

[0135] The camera frame assembly 14 is removed from the front housingpart 28 for recycling by flexing the housing 12 part manually or using aprying tool. These procedures can be provided by automatic machinery or,alternatively, manually using simple hand tools.

[0136] The invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwater one-time-use camera comprising: ahousing having a front housing part and a rear housing part; a frameassembly disposed within said housing; said housing and said frameassembly having retention features releaseably sealing said rear housingpart water-tightly against said front housing part and holding saidframe assembly in said front housing part independent of said rearhousing part.
 2. The camera of claim 1 wherein said retention featuresof said front housing part are a plurality of lugs, and said retentionfeatures of said rear housing part and said frame assembly are aplurality of catch portions, each said lug being engaged by a respectiveone of said catch portions.
 3. The camera of claim 2 wherein catchportions of said rear housing part are internal to said housing and saidcatch portions of said frame assembly are external to said frameassembly.
 4. The camera of claim 2 wherein said lugs engage said catchportions of said frame assembly only when said rear housing part isremoved.
 5. The camera of claim 2 wherein said lugs include first andsecond subsets, said lugs of said first subset each engaging arespective one of said catch portions of said rear housing part, saidlugs of said second subset each engaging a respective one of said catchportions of said frame assembly.
 6. The camera of claim 5 wherein saidfront housing part has a viewport and said attachment portion holds saidframe assembly in closely spaced relation to said viewport.
 7. Thecamera of claim 1 wherein said frame assembly has a light-tight filmspace and a film door closing said film space.
 8. The camera of claim 1further comprising a film unit disposed in said film space.
 9. Thecamera of claim 1 wherein said catch portions of said frame assembly areoutwardly extending flanges.
 10. The camera of claim 1 wherein saidcatch portions of said rear housing part are eye-tabs.
 11. An underwaterone-time-use camera comprising: a housing having a front housing partand a rear housing part, said front housing part having a viewport, saidfront housing part having a back opening, said rear housing partreleaseably closing said back opening watertightly; a frame assemblydisposed within said housing, said frame assembly having a light-tightfilm space and a film door closing said film space, said frame assemblyhaving a taking lens unit covered by said viewport, said frame assemblybeing gripped by said front housing part independently of said rearhousing part.
 12. The camera of claim 11 wherein said film door isopenable through said back opening, when said rear housing part isreleased from said back opening.
 13. The camera of claim 11 wherein saidattachment portion holds said frame assembly within said front housingpart with said taking lens unit covered by viewport, when said rearhousing part is released from said back opening.
 14. The camera of claim11 wherein said front housing part has first and second subsets of lugsand said rear housing part and said frame assembly each have a pluralityof catch portions, said lugs of said first subset each engaging arespective one of said catch portions of said rear housing part, saidlugs of said second subset each engaging a respective one of said catchportions of said frame assembly.
 15. The camera of claim 14 whereincatch portions of said rear housing part are internal to said housingand said catch portions of said frame assembly are external to saidframe assembly.
 16. A method for unloading a one-time-use cameracomprising the steps of: releasing a rear housing part from a fronthousing part; following said releasing, opening a film door of a frameassembly; following said releasing and opening, removing a film unit;and during and following said opening and removing, retaining said frameassembly in said front housing part.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising detaching a winding knob following said retaining.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising releasing said frame assembly fromsaid front housing part following said detaching.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein said first releasing step further comprises removing aplurality of lugs of said front housing part from a plurality of catchportions of said rear housing part; and said second releasing stepfurther comprises removing said lugs from a plurality of catch portionsof said frame assembly.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said firstreleasing step further comprises removing a first subset of lugs of saidfront housing part from a plurality of catch portions of said rearhousing part; and said second releasing step further comprises removinga second subset of lugs of said front housing part from a plurality ofcatch portions of said frame assembly.